ALPOCALYPSE

"Weird Al" Yankovic has just released his newest CD, "Alpocalypse". Nice to see he's still out there and doin' it nearly thirty years after he first hit it big. In fact, he's lasted in popularity much longer than a lot of the bands and singers he's parodied over the decades.

When I discovered Al in 1983, I was young enough then to know and understand which songs he was parodying. Now, I'm afraid that the parade must have passed me by - it would explain all these peanut shells on the ground - because other than "Perform This Way" (Al's parody of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way"), I'm lost as to the other parody songs. However, in this case, it really doesn't matter. Al makes 'em all funny.

I bought this CD just last week at Wal-Mart. There are two versions on the market now - one is JUST the CD, the other being CD and DVD. The CD/DVD combo really IS the one to get. It'll cost about 3 bucks more, but trust me, it will be worth it.

The DVD does not contain every song on ALPOCALYPSE. The first video, CNR, is a tribute to the late Charles Nelson Reilly; the animation (all videos are animated or partially animated on the DVD) on CNR is done "South Park" style. Very funny, actually. So, too, is the fact that Charles is portrayed as an ass-kicking dude in the video.

Another video, CRAIG'S LIST, is not identified as a parody, but if you're an older fella like me, the music may bring to mind The Doors song, SOUL KITCHEN. Al certainly is decked out here like Jim Morrison.

The DVD runs in the neighborhood of 40 minutes, give or take.

The CD's contents are as follows:

Perform This Way
CNR
TMZ
Skipper Dan
Polka Face
Craig's List
Party in the CIA
Ringtone
Another Tattoo
If That Isn't Love
Whatever You Like
Stop Forwarding That Crap to Me.

STOP FORWARDING THAT CRAP TO ME really hits home because we've all experienced exactly what Al is singing about in this song. This one is the crown jewel on the CD, although there are some that come a close second.

So thanks, Al, for doing what you do. Hope you'll keep 'em coming.